Device for use with a golf club to pick up objects related applications

ABSTRACT

A device utilizing an adhesive on the end of the handle of a golf club to permit recovering golf balls, most specifically from within the holes used in the game, without bending over and also providing a convenient place to store a marker for use in the game.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This Application is based upon a Provisional Application filed Jun. 24, 2000 and assigned Provisional Application No. 60/213,980.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to the game of golf and more specifically relates to a device that is readily affixed to the handle end of a golf club, most usually a putter, to be used to recover golf balls as well as other objects without bending over and, of greatest importance, to recover golf balls from the holes used in the game of golf, where the ball is lower than the surface on which the player is standing.

[0004] 2. Prior Art and Objects

[0005] The game of golf is extremely popular. Many people play the game and it is most popular with older and retired people. Frequently, many of these people have problems with bending over and that problem is aggravated when there is a need to pick up a golf ball which is below the surface on which the player is standing. In the game of golf, as is well-known, a player strives to place the ball within a hole which is several inches deep. Then it becomes necessary to remove the ball which requires bending over to the extent that the hand of the player can reach below the surface of the ground.

[0006] Devices are known in the game of golf which permit players to recover a ball from a hole without bending over but such devices require substantial equipment beyond what is already needed to play the game of golf.

[0007] Also, in playing golf, a marker is used to spot the last location of the golf ball before being played into the hole. A marker is used which is a colored disc on a pin. The markers are small and easy to misplace.

[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a device which may be conveniently affixed to the end of the handle of a golf club, most likely a putter, and which permits the golf club to be used in an inverted position to pick up a golf ball from a hole without any bending being required.

[0009] It is a further object of this invention to provide a readily assessable place to store a marker to spot the location of a golf ball when removal of the ball from the playing field is needed.

[0010] It is still another object of this invention to provide a device for picking up a golf ball which is both inexpensive and durable.

[0011] It is another object of this invention to provide a device which can be conveniently carried while on a golf course.

[0012] It is another object of this invention to provide a device which can be easily secured on the end of the handle of the golf club without interfering with the use of the golf club.

[0013] These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description in connection with the appended drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that these are given by way of illustration and not of limitation and that changes may be made in the detailed construction, form and size of the parts and the material used, without affecting the scope of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In one embodiment, a ring is placed generally concentrically on the end of the grip on the handle of a golf club. The ring or retainer is placed about the opening normally provided at the outside end grip. As an alternative to this same embodiment, a recess or cavity is formed in the end of the grip. The only difference is that with the latter version, the ring is actually constructed as part of the grip itself rather than being added on and secured to the end of the grip. An adhesive, which is tacky and remains tacky without hardening is placed within the ring and about the opening in the handle so as to avoid obstructing the opening in the handle.

[0015] Markers are used in the game of golf to locate the last place a ball has come to rest on the playing field. Such markers are disks with a pin located generally concentrically from one surface and generally at right angles to that surface of the disk. The marker is placed through the space in the center of the ring and into the opening in the handle. A tape or coating is located on the pin and surface of the marker from which the pin extends so that the marker does not adhere to the adhesive.

[0016] The foregoing description pertains to both the version where the ring is secured to the handle, probably using the same adhesive used to pick up the ball, and the version where the cavity is part of the handle, the handle having a generally concentric recessed section formed in the end of the handle.

[0017] In a second embodiment, a cup which is flexible, is mounted on a hollow stem. The stem is placed in the opening in the handle of the golf club. An adhesive film is placed on the cup on the side opposite from the stem. As an alternative to the same second embodiment, a retainer is placed on the stem to secure the stem on the handle to prevent the stem from being pulled out of the handle.

[0018] The marker, which is identical to the marker used in the first embodiment and also has the same protection from adhering to the adhesive, is mounted in the hollow stem with the same coating to prevent adhesion. The same adhesive is used as a film on the cup as is used in both versions of the first embodiment. The adhesive is provided in blanks of suitable size for ready replacement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a golf club standing vertically showing the various components of the golf club.

[0020]FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the first version of the first embodiment showing the ring or retainer mounted on the end of the grip of the golf club and showing the marker aligned with the opening in the grip.

[0021]FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the second version of the first embodiment in which a cavity is formed in the end of the grip rather than by adding a ring to the end of the grip.

[0022]FIG. 4 is a side view showing the ring in cross section with a golf ball held in place on the end of the grip of the inverted golf club.

[0023]FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 but with the cavity formed within the end of the grip.

[0024]FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the first version of the second embodiment with a flexible surface on a hollow pin with the marker held in the hollow stem.

[0025]FIG. 7 is an exploded view similar to FIG. 6, showing a second version of the second embodiment with a washer located on the stem to prevent the stem from pulling out of the opening in the grip on the handle of he golf club.

[0026]FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the end of the golf club with the second version of the second embodiment installed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] As best seen in FIG. 1, a golf club 11, more specifically a putter, is shown. The golf club 11 includes a mallet 13, a handle 15 and a grip 17. The grip 17 is mounted on the handle 15. At the outside end 18 of the grip 17 which is the end most remote from the mallet 13, an opening 19 (FIG. 7) is universally provided in the grip, apparently to permit ventilation into the handle 15 which is hollow.

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 2, the first version of the first embodiment can be seen. The end of the grip 17 is shown with the opening 19 in it at the outside end as is a consistent feature for golf clubs regardless of manufacturer. A ring 21, which is shallow, is placed about the opening 19. The ring or retainer 21 may be cylindrical or may be a concave bowl with the opening 19 and with a space 23 about the opening 19 in the center. An adhesive 25 that is soft and pliable and that does not harden but rather remains tacky is placed in the ring or retainer to form a concave surface about the space 23 but the space 23 about the opening does not have any adhesive 25.. An example of such a product is Scotch¹ Double Face Adhesive Numbers 950 and 964. which will not dry out. The adhesive 25 is formed about the ring 21 leaving the space 23 at the center of the ring 21 and about the opening 19. The adhesive 25 is formed to create a concave surface having a radius which generally is that of a golf ball 26. However, even a flat surface can be used but it is not as satisfactory.

[0029] As is known in the game of golf, a marker 27 is used to spot the location of a golf ball 26 when the golf ball 26 must be removed, as for example, to provide access to a hole for a different player. A marker 27 is a disk 29, usually brightly colored, which has a pin 31 extending at right angles from one side of the disk 29 and generally at right angles to the disk 29. The pin 31 of the marker 27 is placed through the space 23 at the center of the adhesive 25 provided at the center of the ring 21 where no adhesive 25 is present and into the opening 19 at the outside end 18 of the grip l7 on the handle 15 of the golf club 11.

[0030] As a result, the outside end 18 of the grip 17 on the handle 15 of the golf club 11 has a ring or retainer 21 secured to it most usually with the same adhesive 25 that is placed within it. The adhesive 25 tapers from the ring or retainer 21 down toward the opening 19 in the grip 17. The marker 27, having a pin 31 and a disc 29, has the pin 31 located in the opening 19 of the grip 17. A film 33 may be located on the pin 31 and on the side of the disk 29 where the pin 31 located. The film 33, which could be masking tape, serves to prevent the marker 27 from adhering to the adhesive 25. Preferably, the adhesive 25 is kept a safe distance, which is the space 23, from the opening 19.

[0031] In the second version of the embodiment just previously described, the ring or retainer 21 for the adhesive 25 is generally a circular cavity 35 in the outside end 18 of the grip 17. The cavity 35 is generally concentric about the opening 19 at the outside end 18 of the grip 17. The same adhesive 25 is placed in the cavity 35 as when a ring or retainer 21 is affixed to the outside end 18 of the grip 17 and once again should be kept a safe distance from the opening 19 which is the space 23. This second version is most applicable when the golf club 11 is being manufactured or where a new grip 17 is being placed on the handle 15 of an existing golf club 11. As to existing golf clubs 11, without changing the grip 17, the ring 21 serves the same purpose as the cavity 35 in the grip 17 and at a low cost.

[0032] In a first and most simple version of a second embodiment, as best seen in FIG. 6, the same opening 19 in the grip 17 of the golf club 11 is utilized. A retainer 37 is used which is formed from a flexible material. The retainer 37 is mounted on a stem 39 which extends generally at right angles from the center point on one side of the retainer 37. A channel 40 extends through the stem 39. The retainer 37 preferably has a concave surface on the side of the retainer 37 opposite from the stem 39. A cup shape for the cup 37 is preferable but a flat flexible plate, preferably circular, will function as the retainer 37. The marker 27, as used in this embodiment, may use the same film 33, as previously described, to prevent the marker 27 from becoming affixed to the adhesive 25 and keeping the adhesive a safe distance from the channel 40 prevents the pin 31 from being contaminated with adhesive 25 when the stem 39 is placed in the channel 40. The disk 29 of the marker 27 is directly above the retainer 37. The outside surface 41 of the retainer 37 is coated with the same adhesive 25 as has been previously described.

[0033] The embodiment set forth immediately above is best for use with a very large number of existing golf clubs 11, as it may be easily installed and may also be removed if, for any reason, such removal be desired.

[0034] There are some golf clubs 11, where the opening 19 is sufficiently large that the weight of the golf ball 26 extracts the stem 39 from the opening 19. To prevent this, a second version of the second embodiment may be used. The stem 39 is formed with a larger diameter to fit more securely into the opening 19. The stem 39, however, beyond the depth of the opening 19, reduces in diameter forming an end shank 43.

[0035] A washer 45 is secured to the end shank 43 or may be formed with the stem 39. Based upon manufacturing costs, it is preferable to produce the washer 45 as a separate part and glue it to the end shank 43 but the stem 39 and the washer 45 may be produced together as one piece.

[0036] The washer 45 has a flat circular surface facing the retainer 37 and tapers away from the retainer 37 inwardly to a reduced diameter.

[0037] With the washer 45 installed, the retainer 37 and stem 39 is forced into the opening 39. The washer 45, as can readily be seen, prevents the stem 39 from being pulled out of the opening. However, if removal is desired, it can be accomplished, due to the flexibility of the opening in the handle 17, providing a pair of pliers are used.

[0038] When playing golf, the marker 27 is used to spot the location of the golf ball 26 when the golf ball 26 must be removed, as for example, when the golf ball 26 obstructs the path of another player. To use the marker 27, it is removed from the channel 40 in the stem 39 of the retainer 37. In the first embodiment, the marker 27 is removed directly from the opening 19 within the ring 21 or cavity 35. The marker 27 is placed on the ground with the pin 31 in the ground to prevent the marker from moving.

[0039] To remove a golf ball 26 from a hole in the golf course, the golf club 11 is inverted and the outside end 18 of the grip 17 with the marker 27 removed, is placed into the hole in contact with the golf ball 26. The golf ball 26 adheres to the adhesive 25 either within the ring 21 or cavity 35 or on the cup 37 and the golf ball 26 is thus pulled out of the hole. The golf ball 26 is readily removed from the adhesive 25 without any adhesive 25 remaining on the golf ball 26. The adhesive 25 can also be used to pick up the marker 27 as well as any other article having a hard surface.

[0040] In this way, the golf player need not bend over, most particularly to recover the golf ball 26 from down within a hole. Limitations on a player's ability to bend over comfortably thus do not prevent such a player from enjoying the game.

[0041] Thus while two embodiments, each embodiment having two versions, have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many other changes may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. 

The claims are:
 1. A device for picking up items to be used with a golf club having a handle with a mallet at one end and a hand grip at the opposite end, the hand grip having an outside end remote from the mallet and having a generally center opening at the outside end, the device comprising: a recess formed in the outside end of the hand grip generally concentrically about the center opening in the handle; an adhesive located within the recess and about the center opening; and a marker including a circular disk and a pin extending from the circular disk generally at right angles to the disc and generally from the center point of the disk, the pin of the marker being placed in the opening.
 2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the recess is a cavity in the grip.
 3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the recess is a cavity in the hand grip that is circular and has a bowl shape.
 4. A device according to claim 1 wherein the recess is a ring affixed to the grip.
 5. A device for picking up items to be used with a golf club having a handle with a mallet at one end and a hand grip at the opposite end, the hand grip having an outside end remote from the mallet and having a generally center opening at the outside end, the device comprising: a retainer; a stem affixed to the retainer generally from the center of the retainer and at right angles to the retainer, the stem having a channel extending through it, the stem being placed in the opening in the grip; adhesive located on the retainer away from an about the channel; and a marker including a circular disk and a pin extending from the circular disk generally at right angles to the disk and generally from the center of the disk, the pin of the marker being placed in the channel.
 6. A device according to claim 5 wherein the retainer is a flat circular plate.
 7. A device according to claim 5 wherein the retainer is cup-shaped.
 8. A device for picking up items to be used with a golf club having a handle with a mallet at one end and a hand grip at the opposite end, the hand grip having an outside end remote from the mallet and having a generally center opening at the outside end, the device comprising: a retainer; a stem affixed to the retainer generally from the center of the retainer and at right angles to the retainer, the stem having a channel extending through it, the stem being placed in the opening in the grip, the stem extending into the handle beyond the grip; a washer affixed to the stem within the handle, the washer having a flat surface against the grip and being tapered from the flat surface; adhesive located on the retainer away from an about the channel; and a marker including a circular disk and a pin extending from the circular disk generally at right angles to the disk and generally from the center of the disk, the pin of the marker being placed in the channel.
 9. A device according to claim 8 wherein the retainer is a flat circular plate.
 10. A device according to claim 8 wherein the retainer is cup-shaped. 